Quality Enhancement Plan: Learning Assistant Program
Resources for Redesigning a Course to add LAs
New LA faculty participating in LA FLC:
LA faculty mentors and the QEP leadership team work with faculty members on designing and implementing the QEP assessment plan within their course during the LA FLC. Faculty use the step-by-step worksheet as a guide. Faculty describe the plan as easy to follow, with meaningful outcomes that enhance the assessment process previously utilized within the course. Once developed, the QEP co-lead reviews the plan and discusses any perceived challenges or suggestions for improvement.
New LA faculty teaching a previously redesigned course (through the QEP):
The LA faculty Canvas course for instructors teaching previously redesigned courses for the first time includes a module with resources related to assessment of student learning within LA courses. Access to the assessment plan created for that previously redesigned course and any related resources (e.g., assignments and rubrics) are provided to new instructors. The choice to either adjust that plan to meet their needs and interests or implement them without changes is left to the discretion of the instructor. Plans are submitted to the QEP co-lead for review and perceived challenges or suggestions for improvement are discussed.
LA faculty teaching a pre-QEP LA course:
Five courses were transformed with the LA model prior to selection of this QEP. The LA Program office is working with course coordinators to train pre-QEP faculty on aspects of the QEP assessment plan and assisting with creation of activities to measure the selected SLOs. Ongoing training and guidance for all LA faculty is provided as needed.
LA Faculty Coffee Hour:
During these meetings, instructors share how assessment plans help them clarify course objectives and provide meaningful feedback to students. Any challenges and adjustments needed to those plans may be discussed in that environment or through appointments with the QEP leadership team or members of the QEP Assessment Committee.
Weekly Prep Meeting听
New Instructor Guide for established math courses
- WEEKLY PREP meetings: We are all busy but taking time every week for the faculty member to meet with the LAs is essential for the success of the program.
- It allows both groups to give each other feedback, feedback that we as faculty don鈥檛 always get and can use to improve our teaching on the spot (this is like formative assessment of our teaching!) The LAs can tell us what students are not clear on and where we need to further focus.
- It helps the LA not only understand what is expected of them in the coming week, but to think through the HOW to work with groups. What challenges do we think the students will face with the content or structure over the coming week? What are specific things the LA can do (or should not do) to assist the group process?
- Clarifying the LA role:听The LA should know what is expected of them. Where do you want them to sit? When will they be used (there should be SOME involvement of the LA every week)?
- Add them to your Canvas or other LMS so that they can know everything happening in class and have access to all materials and announcements
- Have a plan for incorporating collaborative learning and the LA in your course:
- PLAN AHEAD! What types of things will work in your course to engage students? Will you have similar experiences each class (for example, time allotted for the groups to work on problem sets, peer review, or a case study that they will then present or turn in? Will there be points/grades/participation associated with this?) or will there be different experiences using the group structure?
- Bonus if you have a course outline/calendar in your syllabus or on Canvas that specifies what will happen during group work/LA sessions.
- PLAN AHEAD! What types of things will work in your course to engage students? Will you have similar experiences each class (for example, time allotted for the groups to work on problem sets, peer review, or a case study that they will then present or turn in? Will there be points/grades/participation associated with this?) or will there be different experiences using the group structure?
What other tips do YOU have?听Please share them with us by emailing qep@fau.edu!
Information for Faculty
Are you interested in increasing student engagement and positively impacting learning outcomes in your courses? Florida Atlantic has selected a new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Education Reimagined, focused on building a strong, robust Learning Assistant (LA) Program.听Join us!听听
Transform your course to incorporate active/collaborative learning facilitated by trained undergraduate peers, called Learning Assistants (LAs). One-time stipends are awarded to selected faculty for participating in faculty development activities and redesigning a course to include the Learning Assistant (LA) Model.听
Are you interested in Redesigning a Course?
Typical Annual Timeline:
- Information sessions: Annually, October through September. Check back soon for a link to sign-up.
- Open call for course redesign: Annually, the last week of September.
- Selection: Annually, late November.听
- LA Faculty Learning Community听(LA FLC): Following Spring.
LA FLC consists of faculty development activities surrounding course redesign and implementation guided by the essential elements of the LA Model.
- Teach redesigned course with LAs:听Following academic year.听
- Provide assessment data and continuous improvement plan:听After each semester teaching with LAs.
FAQs
A Learning Assistant (LA) Program supports LAs, faculty and students by transforming courses so they are more closely aligned with research based instructional strategies.
At Florida Atlantic, this may look slightly diffferent depending on the class, as the courses are individually redesigned by our faculty, with support of LA professionals.
To schedule a time to see the LA program in action, email qep@fau.edu.
For questions, please contact听qep@fau.edu听
Things to know
A Learning Assistant (LA) Program supports LAs, faculty and students by transforming courses so they are more closely aligned with research based instructional strategies.
At Florida Atlantic, this may look slightly diffferent depending on the class, as the courses are individually redesigned by our faculty, with support of LA professionals.
To schedule a time to see the LA program in action, email qep@fau.edu.